New year, new nutrition plan? Simple food swaps to make in 2017

Jan 9, 2017

If you're at all familiar with the world of fitness, you'll know that those in the industry advocate for a healthy nutrition plan in addition to endless squats, lunges and kettlebell swings.

From telling us that abs are made in the kitchen to insisting you can't outrun a bad diet, fitness fanatics are all too aware that no matter how much time you spend in the gym, unhealthy food choices will inevitably set your progress back considerably.

So, if 2017 is all about educating yourself on fitness and nutrition, one of the simplest ways to start is to learn which items to eliminate from your diet, and – most importantly – which ones to replace them with.

And here are five to get you started…

1. Swap sugar for cinnamon

You might have vetoed every chocolate bar you've encountered since January 1, but have you addressed the various other ways sugar creeps into your diet?

If you've got a sweet tooth, it can be incredibly difficult to ditch the sugar, so it's no surprise many of continue to add a sneaky spoon into our tea, coffee or morning porridge.

Ditch this habit by replacing sugar and sweeteners with a small spoon of cinnamon – you'll be surprised how good it tastes.

2. Swap diet drinks for sparkling water with lemon / lime

We've long since realised that diet drinks are not much better for us than the full-fat version, but that doesn't stop us slurping on them more regularly than we probably should.

One very simple way to reduce the number of diet drinks you consume is by replacing them with sparkling water and slices of lime and lemon.

In addition to the kick the fruit gives the water, the sparkling version makes weaning ourselves off fizzy drinks a little easier.

3. Swap crisps for nuts

If you're used to snacking on crisps or including them with your lunch, it can be difficult to break the habit.

Don't deny yourself a savoury snack, but do stock up on nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts instead.

Most supermarkets sell handy little snack-sized bags which means you don't overindulge, but do get the savoury kick you're looking for.

4. Swap breakfast cereal for an egg-based dish

Eggs are an incredible source of protein and keep you feeling fuller for longer, so why not opt for an egg-based breakfast when you can?

Replace your sugary cereal for two hard boiled eggs or an egg-white omelette on alternate days, and record how long it takes before hunger pangs kick in each day.

Kicking your day off with a protein-rich breakfast generally sees you through until lunch-time, and stops you reaching for a snack mid-morning.